Vehicular Assault & Homicide

Vehicular assault occurs when someone driving a vehicle causes substantial bodily harm to another person under any of these conditions:
a)      The driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
b)      The driving was done in a reckless manner; or
c)      The driving was done without regard for the safety of others.
Vehicular homicide is when any person dies as a result of the driving of another person operating a vehicle. A person can be charged with vehicular homicide if any of the following conditions apply:
a)      He or she was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
b)      The driving was done in a reckless manner; or
c)      The driving was done without regard for the safety of others.
In 2012, Washington state passed House Bill 2216 increasing the penalty for those convicted of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For those with no prior offenses, the sentencing range is now 78-102 months in prison (up from 31-41 months in prison).
 

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Testimonials

"With the help of VSS, you are empowered and encouraged to fight back and be pro-active. Then your conscience can be more at peace because you know you have taken some action to protest crimes inflicted on your loved one. It is sometimes your only consolation."

“The one takeaway for me in working with VSS is that it is a necessary organization. I know they are funded by grants and fundraisers but it’s something we need to make sure as a community that they have the funding needed because what they do for people in need doesn’t happen anywhere else. This is the only place that this happens and VSS helps with so many things.”

David Rose

Anchor, Q13 News and Host, Washington’s Most Wanted

“VSS is there when the unthinkable happens.  When a police officer knocks on your door and gives you tragic news, VSS helps navigate the court system, which can be very confusing. VSS is compassion, caring, and commitment. Commitment to once justice is done that victims and their families can move forward with their lives.”

Jennifer Gregerson

Mayor, City of Mukilteo

“VSS has been our partner in recovery and healing and a key part in what makes Mukilteo Strong. VSS has been a trusted advocate for the victims that have suffered so much in the community.  I’m so grateful to VSS as our partner in strength.”

Jon Nehring

Mayor, City of Marysville

“VSS is there for people in their darkest hour. At a time when they need an advocate and friend, VSS steps in to fill that gap and help them begin their journey back to some sense of normalcy.” 

Myrle Carner

Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound

“This thing about closure. There is never really closure in a victim’s life but VSS helps individuals to get closer to that and that’s critical because the cops and the judicial system just move on to another case because they don’t have time. Victims live with this trauma forever so VSS is with them for as long as they need the services. VSS takes the time, more importantly, they really care."

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